Faith Stokes joins the podcast to talk about treating the patients many clinicians feel least prepared for — those navigating trauma, addiction, suicidality, chronic pain, pelvic health conditions, and complex biopsychosocial presentations.

Faith practices in rural North Georgia, where she blends manual therapy, psychologically informed care, and lifestyle medicine. As a residency coordinator and adjunct faculty across multiple programs, she’s passionate about helping clinicians develop clarity when treating patients whose stories involve trauma, fear, avoidance, social instability, or chronic stress.

• Simple vs. complex PTSD in clinical practice

• Why trauma-informed care is essential in OMPT

• Yellow flag screening and why it’s our responsibility

• The PT’s role in addiction and suicidality

• Integrating pelvic health with orthopedics and manual therapy

• Using lifestyle medicine without shame or judgment

• How experts reason through overwhelming complexity

This is a deep, human, and incredibly practical conversation for every PT.

Dr. Moyo Tillery sits down with Dr. Ron Shank to explore the evolving relationship between Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) and Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy (MDT). Drawing from decades of clinical practice, mentorship, and research, Ron reframes the debate — arguing that integration, not ideology, leads to better patient outcomes.

Together, they unpack directional preference, centralization, test–retest frameworks, patient empowerment, and the leadership principles that shape great clinicians. This is a must-listen for anyone navigating modern manual therapy practice.

Key Topics Covered:

• Directional preference vs centralization
• End-range testing as common ground
• Hands-on vs hands-off decision-making
• Patient self-efficacy and dependency
• Mentorship, leadership, and legacy in OMPT

Most physical therapists will treat TMJ pain. Almost none will ever encounter a full bilateral TMJ replacement—paired with mandibular advancement and upper palate expansion. When that rare case appeared, there was no rehab playbook… so this clinician built one.

What listeners will learn:

• How TMJ replacement compares (and doesn’t) to hip and knee replacements
• Why outcomes research exists—but rehab pathways don’t
• How to apply total joint principles to a jaw joint
• What to do when surgical restrictions limit “normal” movement
• The role of nutrition, SLPs, and interdisciplinary care
• How lived experience changes clinical decision-making

Why it matters:

This episode isn’t really about TMJ—it’s about how clinicians think when evidence is thin and responsibility is high.

Guest:

Katie Berry — sports & orthopedic clinician, adjunct professor, and OMPT fellow-in-training.